Injured Soldiers Homecoming Butler County Kansas

INJURIED SOLDIERS RECEIVED GRAND WELCOME HOME

Injured soldiers received a grand welcome home Friday, as they traveled from Herrington to Wichita on an old steam locomotive.

After stopping in Marion and Peabody, the train arrived in Whitewater, where several citizens and students had come out to greet the soldiers.

The train was carrying injured soldiers from the Irwin Army Community Hospital at Fort Riley.

The Remington Middle School sixth graders had made signs and brought out flags to hold up, which they waved and held high as the train approached.

"Just to show our appreciation to the soldiers," Carla Ryan said of why her class came out.

Her students agreed.

"I was just thinking if they weren't here, we wouldn't have our freedom," student Alyssa Hinz said. "They're risking their lives for us."

Fellow student Deanna Ingalsbe felt the same way. "The fact that we could get out and salute the soldiers that make us free and safe," she said.

"I'm just here to show my spirit," Emma Hilgenfeld added.

"I think it'll just be really great to see soldiers who actually served," classmate Austin Miller said.

Cody Moore said came out to show "that we appreciate them and we think being in the Army is really special. We want to show we think they did a good job."

Fellow student Issac Williams wants to serve in the Army one day.

Lonnie Long of Potwin came out to honor a fellow soldier.

He served in the Air Force from 1958 to 1962, spending 13 months in Korea.

"I've been in the military, so I know what they need for support," he said.

During the stop, the soldiers were provided with snacks and water. The city of Whitewater and the Whitewater Area Chamber of Commerce provided the Chex Mix, while the Lions Club provided water bottles and fruit and the churches made cookies.

From there, the soldiers headed on to Wichita, their final stop.

To help welcome them home, 96 members of the American Legion Riders were on hand with their motorcycles and flags in Wichita.

"This is a big, big honor for the American Legion Riders to be here to honor you soldiers," Cregg Hansen, American Legion Riders state chair, said.

He presented plaques of appreciation for support of America's finest to the train museum and Union Pacific. He also presented a plaque to the hospital and a signed welcome home flag to the soldiers.

"We love you guys and gals for what you do," he said.

Terry Houck, from the Mulvane Legion Riders, also welcomed them home.

"I want to thank you voyagers of the military," Houck said.

He invited up other Legion Riders including Ron Herndon from Mulvane and Sam Langhofer from El Dorado to present the flag. They had all been injured in war, receiving Purple Hearts.

"We were young once," Houck said. "We were soldiers once. Many of you were injured in action like many of us. This flag's for you."

The soldiers also were presented a proclamation from the city of Wichita, proclaiming Sept. 7, 2007 as Uniformed Service Member Appreciation Day. (El Dorado Times, September 8, 2007)

Last update 11/17/2007